Horne Street students get a look at real-world job skills

Friday

May 11, 2018 at 1:41 PMMay 11, 2018 at 1:41 PM

By Ron Cole news@fosters.com

DOVER — On an ordinary day, Horne Street fourth graders might find themselves settled comfortably into familiar surroundings, but Friday was not one of those days. More than 100 students, most 9 or 10 years of age, found themselves in a potential future world, at the Dover Career Technical Center.

They were greeted by Career Technical liaison Delilah Smith who gave them an overview of the day.

The CTC offers 15 distinct technical programs from animal science, through bio-medical science to pre-engineering. Included in the curriculum are automobile-related subjects like collision and repair technology.

All were gathered into manageable sized groups, each with a student ambassador, and headed out for 15 minute classes in each discipline.

One was the culinary school headed by Joseph Pirkola. The chef explained a bit about the program and referred to it as being “hard work and something you have to love (but) if you love it, it is not work,” he said.

He was asked for one of the hard things to make. A croissant, he told the youngster. Going on to describe one of the challenges of the culinary school, he said, “the food, if you make something really good, you want to eat it yourself, but we cook for other people.”

Lexie Harte and Quinn Carberry, while sampling fruit cups provided by CTC students, spoke of the day’s visit. “I like that this helps you decide what you want to do,” said Harte, while Quinn added. “it helps you know where to go for college.”

A favorite of all was the Animal Science Department where youngsters befriended a variety of animals from ferrets to bunnies and dogs being cared for at the school.

While a class was going on, Carrie Hough explained that it wasn’t all about playing with the animals. “Today is a wonderful opportunity for the young kids to get an idea of what we do, this is one of them,” she commented, pointing to one of her students giving a talk in front of the class. “Public speaking is important too,” added Hough.

Josh Ball, a Barrington resident and CTC student, happened to notice the 9 and 10 year olds in the hallway. When he discovered why they were at DHS, he commented, “This is why I came to school here, the CTC.” Ball’s friend Makayla Lundquist is new to DHS and is highly impressed with the CTC. “This is really nice,” she said. “We didn’t have it at my last school.”

Liam McNeal was enjoying his visit to the Pre-engineering and Building Technology Department. “I like that we get a chance to see what they are doing here; it gives us a chance to learn about things.” Building Trades instructor Kerrie Williams has been at the school for five years and sees a dual potential in her area. “Some might go into the trades,” she explained, “while others are learning a life skill for personal use.”

While in the Pre-Engineering Department, 10-year-old Braydon Dion observed, “I like how my schoolmates are paying attention.”

Delilah Smith, of the CTC, described these annual visit as having “an overwhelming positive effect on the fourth graders,” while ambassador Reese Johnson, a junior, saw this day as “a great opportunity to learn about what goes on in the real world.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Newsletters

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service